Indoor Plants That Thrive on Neglect

Some easy-care plants can survive with little light.

Indoor plants add beauty and color to your decor. Many real estate specialists recommend adding a few healthy green houseplants as you spruce up your home to sell. Although many homeowners think they’re simply too busy to take care of a houseplant, a few highly tolerant species ask for little care and actually thrive on a certain amount of neglect.

Snake Plant

The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also called mother-in-law’s tongue, is a very familiar houseplant that will grow almost anywhere, even in the dim interior of a room. Snake plant features erect sword-shaped leaves that grow 18 to 30 inches; a small variety with 4-inch tall leaves forms a rosette. This is a good beginner’s choice for those who are too busy to spend time on watering. In fact, infrequent watering is good for this plant, because over-watering can cause rot to form. Always allow the soil to dry completely between waterings.

Philodendron

The heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens var. oxycardium) is capable of surviving in conditions not tolerated by most other houseplants. This vining species has 2- to 4-inch dark green heart-shaped leaves. Philodendron is often found growing in hanging baskets or dish gardens. The vines can also be trained to grow up a support. Although the philodendron likes bright, indirect light in a north, east or west window, it will even grow in the existing light in the interior of a room. It appreciates warm temperatures and some humidity.

Cast Iron Plant

As its common name suggests, the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is close to indestructible, surviving both neglect and low light. This low-maintenance houseplant guarantees success even for those who think they have a brown thumb. The cast iron plant is a slow but steady grower, producing large, leafy clumps, with glossy, dark green leaves reaching up to 2 to 3 feet. If you want a cast iron plant with something other than ordinary green leaves, look for a variety called "Milky Way," which is speckled with yellow flecks and has narrower, longer leaves.

Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) is a most obliging plant, asking for little more than the low light of a north window. This spreading plant eventually reaches about 2 1/2 feet in height. It produces multiple stems with oval leaves whose green and cream variegation can help brighten rooms that don’t receive much light. It should be watered only lightly, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. The Chinese evergreen may occasionally produce insignificant flowers that turn to unattractive berries. Remove the flowers so that the plant puts its energy into leaf production instead.

About the Author

Gwen Bruno has been a full-time freelance writer since 2009, with her gardening-related articles appearing on DavesGarden. She is a former teacher and librarian, and she holds a bachelor's degree in education from Augustana College and master's degrees in education and library science from North Park University and the University of Wisconsin.